After
graduating from WVU last year with a degree in International Studies, I decided
to take an AFHA AmeriCorps position at Arthurdale Heritage. My year of service
here has been incredible. It’s not only a great resume booster, but also the
perfect transition from college to a career. Thanks to the meaningful work we
do here, I have learned so many new skills and can now market myself in so many
different directions. I’ve seen improvements with my public speaking,
confidence, networking, marketing and communication, people skills, and so much
more. It also provides invaluable experience if you want to work in the
nonprofit world.

Because
of this position, just to name a few examples, I’ve been in the paper twice, on
the news once, and on two separate occasions met a WV Senator and a WV
Representative. It truly has been a year of personal development, while also
making a difference in the community.

About the site, Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. (AHI)

Arthurdale
is right next door in Preston County and is a wealth of unique American
history. It was the first community created under the New Deal Homestead
Subsistence Act. It became Eleanor Roosevelt’s pet project and therefore, she
spent a great deal of time here. AHI comprises of the Center Hall complex, Administration
building, Forge, old Esso station, and two original homes. One of the coolest
things about this AmeriCorps position is that they actually provide housing for
their members—a perk not common of other AmeriCorps sites and programs. I get
to live in one of the beautiful original homes that the museum owns! Besides a
free place to stay while serving for a year, there are other perks to joining
AmeriCorps, as well. You get bi-monthly stipends, eligibility for SNAP and
other assistance programs, loan deferral, and upon completing your term, you
receive an education award of nearly $6,000 that can go towards more schooling
or towards student loans.

The
community is so fun to work with, too! Being a small nonprofit, we rely a lot
on volunteers and fundraising. Those two struggles, believe it or not, are some
of the best parts of working here. Many of the volunteers are descendants of
original homesteaders or grew up in Arthurdale their whole lives, so they have
amazing stories to share. Just being a part of this community alone has made my
time here worthwhile.

What do you do?

Day-to-day
activities can range from giving tours, to planning events, handling the social
media page, helping with unique classes (from weaving to baby goat yoga),
volunteer recruitment and management, and overall doing what you can to help
the small non-profit museum. You can also attend an array of seminars, courses,
conferences, and receive free admission into events to represent AHI, such as
Cheat Fest. Serving here is pleasant, fulfilling, and fun! AHI gets two
AmeriCorps members a year which makes it even more enjoyable. Serving at AHI has been one of the best decisions I’ve made
upon graduation. Both of us AmeriCorps members are grateful for this experience
and want to share it with some of those unsure of what to do or looking to
serve next year.

AmeriCorps member participating in baby goat yoga

AmeriCorps members Torey and Meredith passing out candy to trick-or-treaters at AHI

Meredith presenting our beautiful and historic Center Hall as the perfect rentals for all events, including weddings.